Arctic Basecamp Foundation invites applications for a three-year Postdoctoral researcher in climate science to its obligations on the project, Effects of Polar Climate Change on Global Health and Healthcare. The selected Researcher will work closely with a postdoc from Arctic Basecamp. This project is funded by the Wellcome Trust Climate Impact Awards.
Location: Rotterdam, Netherlands
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week)
Expected Start Date: April 2024
Application Deadline: 29 February 2024
Research Position
The Arctic Basecamp Postdoctoral Research role in Climate Science & Health Risks provides early/mid-career academics the opportunity to work at the nexus of climate science, society and policy in which their scientific expertise has immediate impact on millions of lives around the planet.
The three-year term is supported by the science and operations team at Arctic Basecamp, as well as by adjunct support from other consortium members, including the University of Exeter, Aroha Geneva (part of the Climate Vulnerable Forum), Deloitte South Africa, and our international advisory board. Postdocs are expected to commit full-time to the role.
About Arctic Basecamp
Rotterdam-based Stichting Arctic Basecamp Foundation is a not-for-profit science outreach organisation founded in 2017. Arctic Basecamp’s team comprises international polar, climate and global risks specialists who share the common goal to bring climate science into the rooms where decisions are made. In line with our motto, ‘what happens in the Arctic doesn’t stay in the Arctic’, we work with businesses, policymakers and citizens in climate vulnerable countries to understand how the Arctic affects climate risk around the world, thereby highlighting the urgent need for scalable solutions to the climate crisis. We have an annual flagship event at the World Economic Forum and have an established presence at other international conferences where we speak science to power.
About the Project
The “Effects of Polar Climate Change on Global Health and Healthcare” project aims to develop new integrated assessment models, Health-POLAR and Healthcare IND-POLAR, to supplement existing climate health analyses by assessing the additional impacts of polar tipping points. With 9 of the 16 global climate tipping points located in polar regions and five expected to be crossed before +2C of warming, understanding these regions’ roles is crucial. This project will address the gap of underreported risks posed by polar tipping points on global health and the healthcare sector, effectively communicate these impacts and enable policymakers, healthcare industry leaders, and citizens in climate-vulnerable regions to develop more effective adaptation plans. The project will be conducted across 5 work packages for three years with the following objectives:
Integrate polar science knowledge into leading health outcome models and risk analytics (including the Climate Vulnerable Forum’s Health Data Explorer).
Raise awareness of and engagement with key target audiences on the global risks of health outcomes resulting from polar change.
Establish structured approaches for dialogue and action on adaptive solution pathways, laying the foundation for ongoing communication and engagement.
Responsibilities:
The selected researcher will conduct critical public health and climate risk research and promote transdisciplinary collaboration between other grant partners to deliver specific deliverables through:
Leading Work Package (WP) 2 and 3, including:
Producing a new integrated assessment model, Health-POLAR
Add a Health-POLAR analytic layer to the Climate Vulnerable Forum’s Health Data Explorer, including additional country impacts for key health outcomes (heat stress, disease vectors, food availability/nutrition, and wildfires; as well as supply chain, infrastructure and other relevant disruptions) from potential polar tipping points.
Supporting Deloitte on the risks, adaptation needs, and resilience strategies by the healthcare industry (WP3)
Supporting communication and outreach project plans (WP4 and 5)
Qualifications/Discipline:
PhD (or have the PhD conferred by the time the appointment commences) in climate modelling and/or a public health-climate risk related field
Experience in the interconnections between public health and climate change
Proficiency in climate modelling, including calibration, sensitivity analysis, data analysis, and programming
Experience:
Early to mid-stage of academic career
Experience in climate change-related health risks
Demonstrated interest in climate vulnerable countries and populations
Past collaboration and/or interest collaborating with both the public and private sector
Skills:
Excellent command of spoken and written English, proficiency in other languages is advantageous
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Willingness to collaborate and jointly shape initiatives
Proven experience engaging in complex stakeholder consultations and networked activities across a wide spectrum of cultures.
Willingness to work in a highly demanding, fast-paced environment and juggle multiple priorities
Self-starter with the ability to work both independently and as a member of a team
Proven understanding or demonstrated interest in the role of innovation and public-private sector solutions to the climate crisis
Strong programme and project management experience, managing proactively deadlines and deliverables whilst managing change and ambiguity with grace and ease.
Experience in integrated modelling and/or programming is a bonus
Application Procedure:
Interested applications should submit the following via email to hr@arcticbasecamp.org with the subject “Application for PostDoc in Health”.
Letter of application
Curriculum vitae, with a complete list of publications
At least one sample of published work
A research statement (maximum 2 pages) of no more than 800 words, explaining the candidate’s research experience, most impactful publications and aptitude in relation to the job description
Contact information for three referees
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Inclusivity Statement:
Arctic Basecamp Foundation values diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunities. We welcome applications from candidates of all nationalities and backgrounds, and we do not tolerate discrimination based on race, age, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, military status, or any other protected characteristic.
For further information please contact Professor Gail Whiteman, e-mail gail@arcticbasecamp.org